John Lewis department store sales jumped 4% to £86.4m last week, during the final seven days of its summer Clearance event.

Sales grew across all its departments in the seven days to July 15, but its electricals and home technology category enjoyed the largest increase – up 9.9% year-on-year – as shoppers snapped up last-minute bargains.

It was also the retailer’s strongest week of the financial year so far for sales of photography equipment as the retailer said customers prepared to go on their summer holidays.

Home sales edged up 1.9% and furniture and flooring were up 5.8% – the strongest performers in the category.

But fashion sales lagged behind, up only 1%. The retailer said casual menswear was most in demand due to the warm weather and customers refreshing their holiday wardrobes.

Waitrose

Sales at Waitrose, excluding fuel, advanced 2% last week to £129.1m.

Fresh produce was popular at the upmarket grocer last week, with sales of raspberries up 32% in what turned out to be the fruit’s “biggest ever week”. 

It follows, the grocer said, a new advertising campaign highlighting its British fresh food credentials.

Beers, wines and spirits sold well too – up nearly 10%. Sales of gin, which has overtaken all other spirits at Waitrose, rocketed 46% year-on-year.

Across the John Lewis Partnership, sales increased 2.8% last week to £215.5m. 

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